When I first listened to machine head I thought this is just an ordinary metal band nothin to special but as I made my way through their albums and got to the blackening, my mind blew away. Its like marmite, you like or hate it. I looked up on interviews with them seeinig what it took to make an amazin album. They spent an average of six hours a day writing, practicing and perfecting their music, to me thats a huge dedication. The songs were melodic fast brutal and catchy. I feel sorry for the people who dont like it but its all about personal preference. If you havent listened to this album you are missing out. I cant find any more words to describe it.
A few songs you must listen to are, Beutifull Mourning (Its so melodic) Asthetics of Hate (Killer solo) Halo (Melodic, Heavy and killer solo)
The only thing i wernt happy with was that there wernt enough songs. Hahaha

This album is most certainly a step backwards for Machine Head. The band should perhaps be admired for stepping back from the more derivative elements of Through The Ashes of Empires - an album that lifted ideas and riffs from Deftones, Death, and System of a Down, among others - but the fact is that, without lifting what they like from other bands, they seem short on ideas. Over 8 tracks, there's simply too little in the way of variation or invention (or even power, for the most part) for this record to succeed. The band has clearly attempted to introduce variation by adopting progressive elements into their sound, but they simply aren't well done enough. When the band indulge these in full, they sound like Tool without the humor or the flair. So Godsmack, then.
Flynn's voice is still a thing of power, the drumming is still impressive, and the band can still kick out a dancefloor-friendly metal groove perhaps unlike anyone since Pantera, but you can't help but feel that this album has failed at what it set out to do. The Blackening is a reasonably good metal record, but Machine Head have done much better, and there's no doubt that the genre will kick up dozens of albums better than this during 2007.

Damn this is a true to form MH album, i feel that if i was asked which album is a must buy or listen on their discography it would most certainly be this album. Its got it all essentially, all the makings of a great metal album. Fast,Slow,Groovy, Long, Short, mixed with some awesome solos and some experimental portions. Loved their version of Battery btw! Overall i would say give it a listen or 2, buy the album if you are already a fan because it wont disappoint. Im not even a huge fan of them but i know a good album when i hear one.

Have you ever got the feeling that we as humanoids are always bound by the ugliest of chains, which are slowly bound to break at any given point in our lives? Call my statement a bunch of pompous bullshit, but I think it applies to Machine Head's sixth full-length album incredibly well. This is a band who was bound by the nu metal craze during the late 90s, and Robb Flynn was forced to capitalize on this due to Ahrue Luster's presence; when Through the Ashes of Empires was released, however, the bandmates managed to get one shackle off. Upon recording The Blackening, it finally became apparent that Machine Head were liberated and ready to once again violate the ears of their audience. With vocal melodies drenched in richness to go along with immense shouts, unbridled songwriting capabilities, and everlasting riffage, this album perfectly represents all the things this groove/thrash metal act stand for.

There are lots of riffs on this album, but unfortunately even most of the good ones are repeated ad nauseam. Robb Flynn's bark-like vocals also get grating and irritating after a while; he should do more clean work. With all that said, though, the instrumental performances are excellent (especially the guitars) and the tracks that don't drag on forever ("Aesthetics of Hate," "Now I Lay Thee Down") are pretty good. It's just a shame that most of this album is, despite all the heaviness and energy, boring. 2.7

Machine Head have crafted a metal masterpiece with 'The Blackening'. Not only is it vigorously aggressive, but the usage of memorable vocal melodies and clean guitars is also well done. "Halo", "Aesthetics of Hate", "Now I Lay Thee Down", and "Beautiful Mourning" are the highlights.

Machine Head has had a bit of a roller coaster career but The Blackening has proven that they are worthy contenders of a classic band. With immense riffs, clever song writing, intricately lengthy tracks and something to please almost anyone, The Blacking is one of, if not the greatest return to form in metal history!

Probably the album that best encompasses the many facets of this "new wave" of American metal, and it stands as one its highest achievements. Thrilling drumming, tight riffing both groovy and melodic, accomplished (if overextended) songwriting... It's surprising that this should come from Machine Head of all bands, and they'll probably never do anything quite like it again. But the mastering is painfully loud - clipping is very audible throughout the album, which kills its replay value for me.

there is no album this decade that competes with machine head's the blackening. from start to finish this album amazes and keeps the listener enthused. Now not gonna say its brutal because machine head never lost it's brutalness, but i will say it is their most mature album to come along. i believe this album should be put in the metal hall of fame (if it exist) for best album of the decade for the years of 2000-2010. and i believe every metal lover should have this album, and there should be no oh i dont like machine head well you dont have to like the band when u are listening to the one of the greatest metal albums release is all metal history. The Blackening is the greatest album in my opinion and i hope it becomes yours. I hope this review was helpful and i cant wait for Machine head's 3 year long tour to finally end so they can follow up the Blackening.

I know there's not many Machine Head fans on Sputnik but I can't think of a single thing wrong with this album. Its heavy/melodic at the perfect times, and the musicianship/vocals couldn't be better. There's even a song or two that could be used as singles and they are just as good as the rest of the album. This is a classic to me.

Great (albeit overrated) album and definitely the best from the (thankfully) once psedo-nu metallers Machine Head. Very aggressive, thrashy music with a ton of filler. Songs are too long for their own good.

The usual trend hopping machine head are at it again. Kerrang and every other music institution liked to jizz about this as the next master of puppets but i never baughti nto that, its just long, uncomplimentive and dumb songs. The song aesthetics of hate really does show how dumb the lead singer is, allthough the instruments are played very well they dont complement eachother as you would expect on such long songs, not my cup of tea ill give it 2.5 cus its not horrible ofcourse just not as brialliant as its made out

This album is quite possibly the most well rounded metal album I have heard in years. With the emergence of this-core and that-core it is great to hear an album so strife with modern styling and that classic twinge. Straight up metal.

Machine Head's newest album, The Blackening is most certainly a great album, howeer the hype it is recieving as "Best Metal Album Ever" is ludacris. The riffs and strong and the solos are innovative. The drumming is a highlight of the album, it is very solid, fast, and often complex throughout the album. The bass is heard moreso than on previous Machine Head albums, and when it is heard, is just as, if not more impressive than the guitars. The only thing I can see bothering people is the lengthy songs and the vocals. Robbie Flynn's clean voice is decent, and some of his aggressive vocals sound extrordinary, but other sound very forced and unnatural; as if he has to work to get out the lyrics. The songs are of epic lengths, sometimes reaching near 11 minutes (Clenching the Fists of Decent), but for the most part, Machine Head make it enjoyable. In short, this album would be a good buy for anyone looking for a good thrash metal album, any fan of old Machine Head, or just diehard Machine Head faithfuls.

How is it that no one has mentioned Dr Dave McLain? The Dr of Rock of course. Yes the other guys deserve the praise they are getting, but not one mention of Dave. The guy is a monster on the kit. The only other drummer I think could have made this album sound so good would be one Chris Adler. Gooe work Dave.

This album is one of the best I've heard in a very long time. Machine Head is at their finest and I defy any metal band to play their respective instruments as well as these guys do. It's hard to explain how well this album is put together but it's definitely a masterpiece and time will prove me right.
I don't know who actually approved this Mike guy as a reviewer but his take on it seriously hurts his credibility when I could give you links to the reviews of SEVERAL well known and respected magazines and websites where the worst review is still an 8/10.
I'd really like to see what Mike suggests is a 5/5, should be good for a huge laugh. I'm so glad I'm not you Mike.

Back with a bang after the 'comeback' of Ashes , Machine head take that album on another step with the blackening .Longer tracks more technical than ever before and good songs .Pure class from a band many had written off